What it was…What it is now!
Part 1 of a two-part post
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Today’s post is another visit to an interesting site that a family would enjoy visiting. This History Buzz is part 1 of a two-part post about this location. Many thanks to the Andover Historic Preservation website, the Andover Center for History and Culture as well as the Andover Trail Guide for their help with this topic.
What do these two pictures have in common?
#1 What it was then . . .
#2 What it is now . . .
Did you guess that the pictures have something to do with the Penguin Park Playground located in Shawsheen? Perhaps you’ve been there, but do you know the history behind the park?
Picture #1 is of the Richardson School in 1920 that was located at 21 Lowell Street.
This school, which was built in 1848, was first called the Frye Village School but was renamed for Warren Richardson in 1892. Warren Richardson was a business partner of John Smith and Joseph Falkner who owned a mill on the Shawsheen River. The Richardson School was used until the development of the Shawsheen School in 1924. However, the building continued to be used as a meeting hall and in the summer, it was used as a playground. The building was razed in the early 1960’s. The empty lot was used as a park but residents of Shawsheen wanted a playground for their children. They raised the funds and built “Penguin Park” on this site in May of 1990.
This playground became extremely popular. The lack of parking and busy Lowell Street caused safety concerns. These issues resulted in the decision to move “Penguin Park” in August of 1990, to the South-East corner of the Balmoral Field at 72 Burnham Road.
This letter to the editor of the Andover Townsman on May 24, 1990, describes how the funds were raised for the playground and just a few short weeks later the issues of little parking at the location.
What a pity! The town of Andover has been given a gift of a $40,000 playground and has allowed the excitement of it to sour in the towns people’s mouths.
For close to two years many people spent long hours together to make their dream a reality. People gave; little children arriving at the “Pennies from Heaven” carnival emptied their piggy banks; the elderly toting their returnable bottles and cans to a bottle drive; people spending thousands of dollars at an auction and Met Life Real Estate Investments supporting Penguin Park with a major donation.
This should say something to the town of Andover! The Penguin Park Steering Committee was a very visible group. Penguin Park is now built for all to enjoy, but to the dissatisfaction of many there is little parking available……
A letter to the editor of the Andover Townsman written by Peggy Coleman, Chairwoman of the Penguin Park Committee, titled Penguin Park has Landed thanked the many people who helped make it happen. Here is a portion of the letter published on August 24,1990.
After being in the midst of controversy for two months Penguin Park has found its new and final home! Upper Shawsheen Field is a very attractive site, which will allow maximum use of the playground with little or no inconvenience to neighbors and Soccer Association players.
Picture #2 is the current home of “the Mayflower” which is part of “Penguin Park” which had been moved from Lowell St.
The original wooden play structure was torn down in 2001 because it had become a safety issue. The playground underwent extensive renovation and was reopened in 2003. In 2015 more renovations happened and again in 2018 with new modern equipment.
Once again Penguin Park became a favorite spot for children to play. There is plenty of parking at this spot! This area is part of the Sacred Heart Reservation. (More about the reservation in a future post). This piece of equipment at Penguin Park could be a nod to the train that occasionally passes nearby.
This map is from the Andover Trails Guide which is a wonderful source of information about the trails in Andover.
Have you been to Penguin Park? Do you know why it is called “Penguin Park”? Perhaps you helped with the original Penguin Park on Lowell Street.
Leave us a comment or ask a question. We would love to hear from you!
~Barbara
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I remember going to Penguin Park! Probably when it was on Lowell Street.
Yay Peg Coleman!